My husband has started watching and listening to ASMR videos before bed. Don’t worry, I’m not going to give you TMI about our love life. So, what is ASMR?
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It’s a tingling sensation that usually starts on the scalp and moves down the body via neck and spine. It causes deep relaxation in some people, almost a sedated state. This sensation often comes when a person listens to certain sounds like whispers, crackles, rustling leaves, nails tapping, paper tearing, brushing sounds, cards or game tiles shuffling or crinkling paper. Still with me?
There are THOUSANDS of these types of videos on YouTube. I asked my husband if he had a favorite and mentioned Tingting ASMR. This woman has over a million subscribers. Dear hubby also said when he listens to her whispering, he instantly relaxes and his eyes get heavy. When he is stressed or not feeling well, he has trouble falling asleep. But now, with ASMR, his issues have gone away.
I’m happy he has found a way to get to sleep without medication or alcohol. But here’s the truth: I HATE ASMR. I have woken up several times to hear whispering or very odd sounds in my room. Coming out of sleep to strange noises and a creepy voice saying things I couldn’t discern scared the poop out of me. And that’s the flip side of autonomous sensory meridian response. Some individuals, like me, find ASMR disturbing and scary. Instead of that warm, tingling sensation on the head and neck, I get chills and shudders.
So, we have reached a compromise. He listens to ASMR through his phone with ear buds, and I don’t have to hear it. We both sleep better as he is relaxed, and I don’t wake up thinking there is some sort of demon in our bedroom. Win, win!
Seriously, if you have issues with sleep or just want to relax and chill, give ASMR a try. You may love it!
